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The King Must Die / The Bull from the Sea

By Mary Renault
Series: Everyman’s Library Contemporary Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Discover a compelling blend of myth and history in The King Must Die / The Bull from the Sea by Mary Renault. Follow Theseus, a young hero of Greek legend, as he embarks on a journey filled with adventure, courage, and destiny. The narrative captures his rise as a capable leader and explores the complexities of love, honour, and fate within the intricate world of ancient Greece.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are intrigued by a vivid reimagining of ancient Greek myths, particularly the legend of Theseus. Set against a richly detailed historical backdrop, it's perfect for fans of epic tales filled with adventure, heroism, and a deep exploration of characters navigating complex fates.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A hardcover omnibus edition of the two classic novels in which Mary Renault brilliantly recreates the legendary hero Theseus and his defeat of the Minotaur.

In two remarkable historical novels, Mary Renault fashions from the myth of Theseus a convincingly flawed hero and weaves a thrillingly plausible account of the Labyrinth and the infamous Minotaur.

The King Must Die follows the young Theseus as he discovers that his true father is the King of Athens, and volunteers to join the annual tribute of Athenian girls and youths sacrificed to a bull-worshipping cult on the island of Crete. Trapped in the labyrinthine palace of King Minos, Theseus enlists the help of high priestess Ariadne in a daring plan to free his people.

The Bull From the Sea begins after Theseus's triumphal return to Athens. He is now king, but his confidence will be shaken by a life-changing encounter with the queen of the Amazons, the birth of a son who will insist on choosing his own path, and the tragic results of his wife's treachery.

Renault's deep knowledge of the Greek world, her sure grasp of psychology and genius for inspired speculation bring the distant world of the legendary past enthrallingly to life.

Series: Everyman’s Library Contemporary Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The King Must Die / The Bull from the Sea is often praised for its rich historical setting and compelling character development. Many reviewers appreciate Renault's ability to bring ancient mythology to life with vivid and imaginative storytelling. Some note the depth of themes such as destiny and power, while others applaud the intricate portrayal of Theseus's journey. The novels are celebrated for their immersive narrative and emotive resonance, making them standout reads in the genre of historical fiction.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781841594095

Publisher: Everyman

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 13 October 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Everyman's Library

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Daniel Mendelsohn

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 134.0mm

Height: 211.0mm

Weight: 661g

Pages: 120

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mary Renault Penguin Books Series: Everyman’s Library Contemporary Classics

About the Author

Mary Renault was educated at Clifton High School, Bristol and St Hugh's College, Oxford. Having completed nursing training in 1937, she then wrote her first novel Promise of Love. Her next three novels were written during off-time duty whilst serving in the war. In 1948 she went to live in South Africa but travelled widely. It was her trip to Greece and her visits to Corinth, Samos, Crete, Delos, Aegina and other islands, as well as to Athens, Sounion and Marathon, that resulted in her brilliant historical reconstructions of Ancient Greece. Mary Renault died in 1983.

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  • The Last of the Wine
    ‘All my sense of the ancient world – its values, its style, the scent of its wars and passions – comes from Mary Renault. Her Theseus novels are perhaps the most exciting of her Greek fictions, and The Last of the Wine the most moving. I turned to writing historical fiction because of something I learned from Renault: that it...
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